It seems to me like the whole world and its brother, considers Ladurée the Mecca of fine macarons. I personally know several people whose only request to friends visiting Paris, is to bring back a box of Ladurée goodies.
So off I went to Ladurée on our first trip a few years ago, with the greatest expectation of tasting my first ever sandwich macarons. I walked out bewildered by all the hype! There might be a sacrilegious trip report floating out there somewhere, where I swore off macarons forever. (Confident in the knowledge that at the time, there were none to be had at home in any case, apart from the cardamom flavoured, cashew meringue rocks from Mangalore, that we call macaroons.)
Fast forward to this past summer, when I tracked down Georges Larnicol based on an online lead, and I had to eat my words. Not even Pierre Herme’s macarons came close (that’s double blashphemy!!) to Georges’ fabulous, feather light, pastel discs, encasing the most tantalising fillings you can think of!
Georges is a chocolatier, better known for his Kouignettes – his version of the flaky, syrup soaked Breton butter cake, Kouign Amann – that were too sweet and sticky for my liking. His confectionery however is mind blowing! And his artistic skill evident in the row upon row of sculpted chocolate figures. But for me his macarons, with their sherbet hues and delicate flavours, were the highlight, making this Marais chocolaterie a mandatory daily stop.
Georges Larnicol Boutiques in Paris:
Marais: 14 rue de Rivoli, 75004
(Monday-Saturday, 9am-6pm; closed Sunday)
Saint Germaine: 132 boulevard Saint-Germain, 75006
(Hours: Every day, 9am-11pm)
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They look delicious!!…and the colors are just delightful!
I feel like just wanting to grab those treats looking at the pictures, and then just eat my iPad now. And I promise I won’t leave any crumbs. 😀
so many colors and yummy 🙂
A delicious tribute to Macarons :D. Spectacular photos too!
Very inspiring captured photos – Georges Larnicol have as far as I know 22 stores in France – outside France it is selected retailers who sell his product range – I has only been in the Menton one and the one in Rennes – some of the things are too sweet for my taste – but there are many delights… 🙂
no matter how they taste…the pictures are mighty pretty !
Ok, now you’ve done it Madhu! I may have to rearrange my traveling list to accommodate tasting these little jewels. 🙂
oh all those fine macarons!
Oh my, I am hungry now! Lovely pics Madhu